This guide mainly refers to babies and toddlers up to the age of around 2 years old. For preschoolers and older (potty-trained) kids check out this post.
In this packing list I have everything you need for your travels. I also give some brief reviews and recommendations on which items are essential to carry on the aircraft for first-timers with an infant on a plane (they are tagged with "Take on-board"). Pretty useful if you are puzzled about what to carry on-board provided there’s not enough allowance for hand luggage. Infant pays a small fee, which buys you 2 extra items on-board, usually his changing bag and a folding pram or a baby carrier, so read the list to see how you can better manage your limited space and get all you need with you.
Also, every item in my list has an affiliate link to a product you can buy from Amazon These are recommended products we’ve used repeatedly and proven good and Amazon sales did not affect my reviews. Or course, feel free to do your own research too. By buying through the links I may receive a commission for the sale. This has no effect on the price for you. Whenever I get a commission, I re-invest it in new things and create more wonderful content for this site.
For Amazon shopping, and if you are not an Amazon Prime member already, I recommend signing up for a Prime membership to get discounts and free shipping plus free Amazon Prime channels (with a great variety of kids programmes). Here's a Free Trial of Amazon Prime on me to give it a try.
Happy shopping and Safe Travels!
The Check List in a glance
Here's a handy list of all lightweight and portable items that I've found essential for peace of mind when traveling. I suggest you bookmark this page (or pin it in your Pinterest) else copy-paste it onto your phone's notes app:
Travel Stroller (take on-board)
Sun and Sleep Cover for Stroller
Baby Carrier (for little babies) or Toddler Carrier (take on-board)
Soft Shoes (take on-board)
Changing Bag (take on-board)
Portable Changing Mat (take on-board)
Bottled Formula Milk (take on-board)
Silicone Bibs (take on-board)
Sippy Cup & Feeding Bottle (take on-board)
Muslin or Thin Blanket (take on-board)
Mini First Aid Kit (take on-board)
Snacks (take on-board)
Mini Toys & Books (take on-board)
Nappies and Wipes (take some extra to cover the first 24h in destination)
Mini Towel (take on-board)
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ROAM
Travel Stroller
Ages: 0-2
Take on-board: YES
During my research on travel strollers, I found out the most important specs to consider are:
Collapsible: ideally one hand as most of the times you will have something on the other, if not carrying the baby. I like the flat laid folding strollers as they become very small (imagine like a 17” laptop size).
Portable: be sure it has a carry bag (if you are going to store it in the overhead compartment) and a carry strap to hang it on your shoulder when boarding a plane or taking stairs down to the underground.
Lightweight: it has to be made of lightweight materials and not weigh more than 5.5-6 kg. Remember, you are going to carry it everywhere along with much other stuff.
Well equipped with accessories: ideally a universal rain cover (if you don't already have one from your stroller vendor) and a sun protection umbrella would be nice. For warm climates, consider buying a mini portable fan with clip (USB charging so you can charge it with your battery pack) and sun sleep cover for her afternoon naps in the steaming heat.
I’ve tried umbrella-folding style strollers but they felt quite flimsy when in use plus you loose the option to carry onboard. Baby jogger city tour and Babyzen Yoyo, on the other hand, are good buggies yet on the expensive range (£250-450). We found Joie pact lite the most economic, lightweight stroller meeting most of the above specs. Its major pro is the weight (5.5kg) with width and price competing for the second place. It’s so narrow that you can stroll it through aeroplane corridors or the narrowest street markets in Asia and still be comfy for the child. It has a reclining seat of around 10% inclination which makes it suitable for all ages (even from birth). Quality-wise, superb: we’ve taken it everywhere we travelled, including our weekend strolls downtown in London, and still in very good condition after 3.5 years of rough use. We have had this since he was a newborn baby and still uses it in his preschool years.
Stroller Hook
Ages: all
Take on-board: YES (attach to stroller and forget)
Essential to hang shopping bags or the baby’s changing bag. Or both. Just be careful when you take baby off, the centre of gravity shift will land your shopping bag with that expensive bottle of wine down on the ground.
Clips vs D-shape Hook (carabiner): standard clips like Baby Uma are more discrete and stay put (as they tightly wrap around the handles), but there is a chance you hang something really heavy and the threading will rip apart. Carabiner D-shape are sturdy and they won't rip apart.
Sun and Sleep Cover
Ages: 6m+
Take onboard: NO
Sometimes I am so greatly surprised by human inventions like this cover cos this cover is exactly one thing you wouldn't like to miss when travelling. Had I known earlier this thing existed, I wouldn't have spent my time trying to fitting muslins or various other clothes only to be blown away a few moments later by the wind. This SnoozeShade cover not only steadily attaches to any stroller, but also blacks out the sun to aid baby's nap, and protect from it (UV protection). What's best, there's a smart zipped panel on the top that you can unzip to check on her or let some breeze come through the second layer, a perforated breathable fabric. Not to mention how easy fitted every stroller with all different straps and velcros that come with it and how small and lightweight is, ideal for travel.
Baby Carrier
Ages: 0-1
Take onboard: YES
When the stroller is folded and passed through security (or sent along with the luggage during check-in), you will need one of these to keep your hands free for your passports and your phone (post this daddy cool selfie on Instagram). Toddlers can walk but will be easily tired soon so I
suggest you have the carrier with you at all times. There are different carriers for babies (up to 1yr) and toddlers (>1 yr) where things get heavier. The Infantino 4-in-1 is a very good value for money for baby travel because a) it’s lightweight, b) is made of excellent padding materials c) can be worn frontside or backside as backpack and is suitable from birth, and d) folds down and rolls easily to fit your backpack, the travel stroller carry bag or under seat basket. There is a photo of me wearing it in this post. One drawback though, it's not quite breathable for long day walks in hot climates and is not as comfortable for your back as others when the baby gets heavier >1yr. For these cases see the next item in my list (toddler carrier).
I’ve also tried Babybjorn which has a plastic back support and is much more comfortable but is so much more expensive and bigger and does not fit in backpacks when folded. You get what you pay for but I found out that for the sake of lightweight travel, infantino was the best budget option.
If you are more adventurous and looking for hikes with your little one on your back, look no further than something like Littlelife Ranger which is the lightest and most compact option I've found out there with great reviews. It will count as an extra item to carry onboard though so if you plan to go light better be looking at the other options I suggested.
Toddler Carrier
Ages: 1-2
Take onboard: YES
For infants older than 14-18 months old (>10 kg) I recommend upgrading to something more comfortable for heavier loads like the Ergobaby Omni 360 Baby Carrier with cooling air mesh (for hotter climates) or Izmi toddler carrier which also offers a breeze version with mesh back for ventilation and hood for the weather elements:
Verdict: Ergobaby is much more comfortable and provides lumbar support, however, Izmi is smaller and lighter and folds down to a nice small roll or around 10x20cm. It comes with a storage pouch and a detachable supportive pillow for smaller babies so basically, you can use Izmi both as baby and toddler carrier. So, if travelling light is your thing, I totally recommend Izmi all the way. If travelling is just once or twice a year, I'd better consider going for the comfy solution (i.e. Ergobaby)
Soft Shoes
Ages: 0-2
Take onboard: YES
If your offspring have started toddling around, definitely won’t stay in your lap for long. Get some soft shoes with non-slip sole and you will find them handy for these walks in the airplane or indoors at the hotel corridors; they have an elasticated finish around the ankle to keep them snugly on the foot and are also meant to keep these little feet warm during flights and naps. The dotty fish slippers made of soft leather is the best we’ve found as they are lightweight and fold down to fit your pocket, plus they have survived heavy usage and mileage.
Changing Bag
Ages: 0-2
Take onboard: YES
We did the mistake and bought one of these posh baby changing shoulder bags when our son was born. When we started traveling with him, even going out and about within London, we realised how unsuitable that kind of bag was. It is rather bulky and uncomfortable to wear and walk as it continuously twists and slips off your shoulders. We switched to a backpack-style bag that changed our lives. The ones I suggest below can be worn as a backpack and have straps/handles to hang on the stroller clip/hook or, even better, can fit the stroller’s basket.
My two favourites are the NewHay diaper bag made of sturdy and soft breathable material with plenty of space for all accessories, and the BabbleRoo Changing bag which is a bit more stylish and offers some unbeatable features like the detachable case and a luggage strap that others don't do.
Portable Changing Mat
Ages 0-2
Take onboard: YES
Choose one that folds down and has a storage pocket for a couple of nappies and wipes. This baby polar gear flip and fold saved us, it is around the size of an 8-9” tablet, slips into our backpacks easily and most importantly, has a smart life-saver storage pocket: you can fit 2-3 nappies and some wipes for easy access. Make sure you sanitize it every now and then.
Nappy Disposal Bags
Ages: all
Take onboard: NO
Not the most essential thing in the world but think about this: At Tokyo downtown, there is no chance you will find a public trash bin in the metropolitan area. Everything is recycled in special points in the city so if you are not close to one of these and hold a non-recyclable bomb (like a dirty nappy) you take it back home. Crazy? That means if your youngster decides it’s a good time to poop when you stroll in a street market or a park, you’d have to carry this nappy around with you till you return to your lodge.
I would prefer something biodegradable (for ecological reasons) and lightly scented to trap the smells. For those who are sensitive to fragrance, the Naty biodegradable ones are the best eco-friendly unscented choice. Also great for other rubbish or your dog's poop when you are out and about. Having said that, another great gadget to hang on your daypack is a dog poop holder like Earth Rated with a few rolls of bags that can work out greatly with dog and kiddo alike.
FEED
Formula milk
Ages: all
Take onboard: YES
We always pack a big pouch of formula powder in our suitcase for the first days in the destination and we found Hipp organic comes in airtight pouches (separate the box) easy to fold between your clothes. We also buy a few Hipp Ready-to-feed bottles for the trip to avoid the hassle of warming up water and mixing powder on-board. They are allowed in airport security even in packs of more than 100ml.
Travel Chair Harness
Ages: 6m+
Take onboard: NO
The Lychee baby travel harness is a no-brainer: it's lightweight, it folds down like a dining fabric napkin and perfectly fits your bag or pocket. Also thanks to its extendable straps, it fits all types of chairs. We’ve tried in a variety of different materials and sizes including wooden and plastic and worked perfectly all along. Absolutely recommended.
Silicone Bibs
Ages: 5m+
Take onboard: YES
Although the classic long waterproof layered bibs may sound the most suitable for travel (they're lightweight and folding), we found out they only partially prevent the mess by failing to catch all food dropping down to his pants. Instead, the silicone ones (like PandaEar or NatureBond) are the best option with an overhanging food catchment area which really stops food dropping on his pants. Silicone ones are hassle-free and easy to clean and wash (dishwasher safe), they are adjustable and lock in position (so he can’t pull out). Squeezed and rolled down to a size of toilet roll tube to fit your bag. Although not as lightweight and compact as simple fabric ones, believe me, it’s really a blessing having one of these for your travels.
WARNING:
I know many of you might be in favor of going for the Tommee Tippee brand. I have nothing against it (still use lots of their products), but when I saw what happened to a friend's Tomme Tippee silicone bib (photos below) after several foldings, I not only didn't buy it but started having second thoughts for Tomee Tippee as a whole. The NatureBond, that we've been using for a while, has been tested heavily on the field: folded, squeezed and traveled a lot and they still look mint new. Not to mention they come with some fancy prints your kid will love ;-)
Portable Feeding Bowl with Spoon
Ages: 6m+
Take on-board: NO
Check also this post to see usage photos and a delicious and healthy breakfast idea using this bowl.
Another great invention is the Sistema capsule pot, with 2 separate compartments for snacks on the go and a little... 'spork' (spoon-fork) that clips on the side so you don't lose it. Not to mention they are BPA-free and made of recycled plastic ;-)
I use them almost daily for our walks in the park, storing a light on-the-go lunch and some fruits for dessert.
Travel Cutlery
Ages: 6m+
Take on-board: NO
Not all restaurants will offer kid-friendly cutlery to your destination so you better carry a set with you. The TUM TUM baby cutlery set is just what you need: small, has a complete spoon-fork-knife set all in a protective case which is about the size of a small sunglasses case. They should be fine from an early age, just when your toddler starts showing interest in grabbing cutlery, and will last until older ages for sure.
What I also found very useful for travel (not only for a toddler but for us grown-ups too) is the Sistema Cutlery to Go. They are plastic (BPA-free and made of recycled plastic) and a little bigger in size but also come in a durable case for convenience and portability. A great toy too, our little one loves sorting and stacking the cutlery in the right order and then into the case. The only downside, they can break with a little clumsy push by these tiny hands. The best long-lasting option is to get the Roxon camping cutlery set, which is metal (which means it weighs a bit more) and will last forever.
Eco-Conscious of plastic? You can always get a pack of wooden biodegradable cutlery. You will fill up your bags with them and there will still be some left for your next party at home ;-)
Sippy Cup & Feeding Bottles
Ages: 6m+
Take on-board: YES
Absolute must. For infants over 10 months I'd recommend starting training them to drink water by holding the cup with both hands with this smart NUK 360 anti-spill one which we loved and missed a lot (he threw it in the river in Thailand for a reason he only understands). Of course, we love everything NUK and the First choice anti-colic milk bottles are also a good lightweight travel choice for drinking everything (not just milk).
Travel Bottle Washing System
Take onboard: NO
This is one of my greatest finds that I'm so proud of ;-) If you are staying in an apartment you probably won’t need this, but if you’re going for hotel rooms you’ll find this quite handy as it is a 2-in-1 wash liquid dispenser (with a pump) and brush to wash baby’s bowls, cutlery and sippy cups. All you have to do is ask the hotel’s restaurant to fill it in with washing liquid once you check-in at your hotel. Note this one didn’t fit into our milk bottle so if the baby is heavily depended on a bottle you need another solution for washing For bottle-fed, I reckon you should better aim for a travel-size brush for bottles, like this Tomy Boon travel set which comes with a handy travel size compact drying rack and brush, useful in hotel rooms where no drying racks are available.
Water Flask
Ages: for the whole family
Take onboard: NO (airline personnel can provide hot water for milk prep throughout the flight)
If you don’t already have one for your picnics (travel size would be around 400-500ml) get one of the Thermos brands which will last forever (my parents still use the Thermos they bought and used 20 years ago). Fill it up with hot water for warming up milk or food or cold water when you are out and about for the whole family to hydrate. I like Thermos brand with vacuum insulation as it can maintain the temperature for a good 3-4 hours in hot climates (tested in Thailand and Greece) and the lid can be used as a cup when you're out and about.
The Thermos Super Light flask or the Super Light Travel tumbler are both great options, super light (200g) and sleek design, with a handy spout making it easier for our little friends to sip.
Sterilising Tablets
Ages: 0-6m
Take onboard: NO
If your baby is <6 months old and bottle-fed, you may need to consider the Milton tablets for sterilizing bottles or other utensils/toys/dummies. Wash all bottles to remove milk residue (use this Travel washing system), add 1 tablet in 3-5Lt water, let it dissolve fully, submerge all items into the water bucket and wait for 15 mins. Sterilisation lasts 24h. You can find these in Boots or supermarkets too.
Instant Stain Remover
Ages: the whole family
Take onboard: NO
This product needs no words to highlight its necessity. The Tide To Go pen was suggested by a good friend and is exactly what we needed at that time. It is simply magic and comes in a small size of a thin marker pen that you can fit in your handbag (It's less than 100ml so suitable for hand luggage too). Get a multi-pack because it costs less and once you start using it you'd wish you had one pen in every bag of yours :-)
Combine it with a pack of Tide to go wipes and you are ready for everything comes up your way.
SLEEP
Sleeping Bag
Ages: 3m+
Take onboard: NO (although some babies feel more comfortable and sleep better in something they recognize from home).
A lightweight sleep bag is the best thing to pack for travel. Choose a 0.5 to 1.0 tog for hot destinations or else go for the 2.5 tog for normal room temperatures (with air conditioning). I recommend travel Gro bags that come at good quality for the price tag and some also have a travel pouch. We also liked the Tomee Tippee pyjama style sleeping bags with legs for babies that need a bit more independence. If you are looking for something more technical (and expensive) look for the Woolino 4 Season Baby Sleep Bag made of merino wool that regulates body temperature in all 4 seasons.
Confused with TOG and how to choose the best? Check this guide.
Muslin or Thin Blanket
Ages: 0-2
Take onboard: YES
Muslin squares or thin lightweight blankets always come handy for a few reasons:
a) you might need it for shade or during a night stroll if baby falls asleep and is getting chillier (unless you go for a cover like the one I described in the previous section)
b) in long haul flights or train rides you might need to swaddle the baby (if he’s very young)
c) use it as cover while he sleeps and lights are on during food serving
d) good quality cotton muslins can be used in hot climates as a sheet to keep him cool and prevent sweating
d) quickly clean spills or vomit.
Pro Tip: get a few safety pins with you to pin and adjust the muslin over baby’s head when sleeping. Choose sustainable and anti-allergic materials like bamboo/cotton and ideally size 70x70 which I found perfect for all these uses.
Travel Cot
Ages: 6m+
Take onboard: NO
If you are staying in a hotel, you better ask beforehand as most hotels usually provide cots so there’s no need to carry this. But if you are staying at an apartment or camping, you might need to consider one of these pop-up travel cots. Deryan travel cot comes with a self-inflatable mattress so we bought one for overnight train travels (trains do not provide cots for infants 😊). We also used it at a beach tent (it has UV protection, good ventilation and mosquito net) for an afternoon nap. During lockdown, I used it as toddler's den in my backyard :-)
Travel Size Toiletry Bottles
Ages: the whole family
Take onboard: NO
Useful not only for the little ones but for the whole family. Refill them with baby bath, creams and washing powder/liquid for clothes for baby and yourself. Make sure you seal them with tape before travel, so they don’t spill. I found these from Amazon quite handy and with a great variety of shapes and sizes to fit all your baby essentials.
Baby Monitor
Ages: all
Take on-board: NO
Can be a bit cumbersome for your luggage but is useful on your vacation for a) relaxing in the balcony or garden with a drink while baby snoozes in the room and b) the build-in thermometer can help you figure out and regulate the room’s temperature. There are quite a few out there, but this relatively inexpensive and quite small HelloBaby Chinese brand has proven quite fit for purpose so far for us not to mention the great customer service when one of our chargers broke. Make sure you also pack the proper mains adapter for the country you’re travelling to.
Another solution that I have recently tested and worked pretty well is the Baby Monitor 3G mobile app (paid app). You will need to install it on 2 devices (phones or tablets), one working as a camera (left in the room pointing to your baby) and one as a remote monitor. It will work with Wifi or your mobile 3G/4G/5G connection and vibrate whenever there is a sound or motion in the room. The advantage is that you don't anymore depend on your baby monitor range restriction, but only on the local internet coverage. So I would recommend that as a backup solution. If it works, great; if not, switch back to the classic baby monitor.
Make sure you also pack a universal plug adapter like this.
Rechargeable Night Light
Ages: 0-2
Take on-board: NO
Not all kids need lights to sleep, but if they do, you may either find some options in the hotel room (like us leaving bathroom lights on and door slightly open) or get one of these with you. The Vava night light we found on Amazon is a good option if you need something to buy for your home but also suitable to carry over in your travels. What’s best, there’s no need to carry separate cables as it recharges using your phone’s charger USB cable and is waterproof too. It can be used for reading bedtime stories, changing nappy in the middle of the night or a baby sensory toy too!
Mosquito Net
Ages: all
Take on-board: NO
An absolute must for hot-weather and tropical destinations where mosquitos and flies lurk for your baby’s tender skin. This Baby Dan from Amazon is not only cheap and lightweight but also comes into a small handful size pouch which makes it easy to carry around. We used it to cover the cot but also the stroller during his outdoor naps.
WELL BEING
Mini First Aid Kit
Ages: all
Take on-board: YES (especially long haul)
You can build your own (read this Babycentre's very informative article) but this kit comes with all you need and it’s pretty small and lightweight. But its real advantage, besides being tiny small but mighty, is that there’s still some space to squeeze extras you will certainly need.
I usually squeeze the following items too in this bag:
Olbas oil for congested nose, natural product and a really small bottle; great to have with you for a good night's sleep (works also for adults)
Liquid paracetamol sachets, small and compact to fit in this tiny kit
A few Single-use Thermometers, are thin and light as paper and don't break.
Saline tubes, for eye infections and other general use
A few additional wound cleansing wipes
A few additional burn relief gel sachets
PRO TIP: make sure you download and install the Baby and Child First Aid app by the British Red Cross on your phone (Android or IOS) with important info about emergencies and how to treat baby accidents. Good info to keep you calm in any type of accident, give it a go and read through before you travel to get the idea.
Sink Plug
Ages: all
Take onboard: No
I can't stress enough how useful this silicone tub stopper plug has been, not just for our travels but at home too. This little slice of silicon will convert any sink around the world into a washing basin. It's a lifesaver, especially for long trips, as you will now need to carry only a few sets of socks, tees and underwear and wash these essentials over and over in your hotel's sink. You will thank me for the space you've saved in your luggage for other important things.
Packing Cubes
Age: whole family
Take onboard: NO
I’ve been using cubes/cells for all my travels and have been proven super useful for luggage management. Shirts in one pack, trousers in another, socks and underwear in a smaller one. After all, having everything you need in hand as soon as you open your suitcase is a fantastic feeling. Even if you’re not a Marie Kondo’s fan, just imagine that feeling when you land tired and open your suitcase to this view:
Having a bad jet lag and in need of fresh bodysuits or underwear for him straight away, you will be thanking me later for these. Go for the Ecohub packing cubes set made from eco-friendly recycled material or check out these compression cubes in case you are looking for even more space in your luggage.
PRO TIP: A good idea would be to get a small cube with insulation that can be converted to lunch/snack carry-on essentials along with a couple of toys for your day trips at your destination.
Snacks
Ages: 6+
Take on-board: YES
Something to consider having with you definitely on-board to help with these meltdowns of boredom. Our son and we loved very much the 'Organix' products (no added sugar) and the piccolo fruit purees as the least 'junk' out there.
For specific product recommendations, read my special post for healthy kids' snacks
Mini Toys & Books
Ages: 12+
Take on-board: YES
Toys & books play a very important role in a child’s development but also help them polish these cognitive areas of their brains and master hand-eye-brain coordination. But most of all will give you some peace during the trip. We’ve found out he got bored soon playing with most of the toys he already had from home so we opted for a couple of small new toys for the duration trip that we only unpacked when on-board. Stacking cups have been proven a goldmine as you can invent unlimited different gaming combinations, with stacking, nesting, and shell game (three shells and a pea) just to name a few.